The Twins Top Prospect in 2025 Will Be…

[Cody Christie]

Twins Daily recently finished counting down the club's top prospects entering the 2023 season. Let's examine the crystal ball and project who will rank as the team's top prospect in two years.

Image courtesy of Steve Buhr (Rodriguez), William Parmeter (Raya), Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports (Salas)

 

Minnesota's farm system has some strong players at the top, but not all of them will still qualify as prospects over the next two years. Last year at this time, I projected the team's top-5 prospects entering the 2024 season, and so far, those rankings are doing reasonably well. A lot can happen in one year for a team's farm system, so who will be the Twins' top prospect in 2025? 

1. Emmanuel Rodriguez- OF
Current TD Ranking: 3
ETA: 2025
Rodriguez topped this list at the same point last season, and he's only solidified his prospect status over the last year. He's a Top-100 global prospect, and there was a good chance he would have moved higher on the list if he hadn't been injured last season. He has one of the best power bats in the Twins system, and there is a chance he will move into the top 10 on national prospect lists with another strong year. During the 2023 season, Rodriguez should spend most of the year at High-A, where he will be younger than the average age of the competition. He should be on track to debut in 2025 if he continues on his current development path.

2. Marco Raya- SP
Current TD Ranking: 4
ETA: 2025
Raya has pitched 65 innings in his professional career, but Baseball Prospectus has him ranked as baseball's 53rd overall prospect. He was three years younger than the average age of the competition at Low-A last season while posting a 3.05 ERA and a 73-to-23 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He has one of the highest ceilings of any pitching prospect to come through the Twins system in quite some time. However, he is a long way from Target Field, and a lot can go wrong with a pitching prospect on their way to the big leagues. Raya can be the team's top prospect entering next season if he puts together even better numbers at High-A. 

3. Connor Prielipp- SP
Current TD Ranking: 7
ETA: 2024
Prielipp is one of the most intriguing pitching prospects in the Twins system, even though he has yet to make his professional debut. He was in the conversation for being selected near the top of the 2022 MLB Draft, but he fell to the second round after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He pitched in pre-draft workouts leading into the draft so teams could see how his rehab was progressing. MLB.com already has Prielipp ranked as the team's top pitching prospect. There is no reason to rush him next season, but there is a chance he will pass Raya over the next two years. 

4. Jose Salas- INF
Current TD Ranking: 8
ETA: 2025
Salas was one of two prospects in the Pablo Lopez and Luis Arraez trade earlier this winter. He was considered one of the Marlins' top prospects at the time of the trade. Last season, he hit .250/.339/.384 (.723) with 20 doubles, four triples, and nine home runs in 109 games. He only had one at-bat versus a younger pitcher last season, and Miami sent him to the Arizona Fall League as a 19-year-old. He likely spends most of the year in Cedar Rapids with a chance to reach Double-A by the season's end. 

5. Yasser Mercedes- OF
Current TD Ranking: 12
ETA: 2026
Mercedes was one of the top international prospects available during the 2022 signing period, and he showcased his skills during his professional debut. Minnesota sent him to the Dominican Summer League, and he hit .355/.421/.555 (.975) with 13 doubles, three triples, and four home runs in 41 games. He was also a threat on the bases by going 30-for-35 in stolen base attempts. It seems likely for him to make his stateside debut in 2023, and he could have an Emmanuel Rodriguez-style breakout if everything goes well. 

The Twins have a top-5 draft pick in 2023, so that player will also likely be in the mix to be at the top of this list. Who do you think will be the team's top prospect in 2025? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. 

 

View full article

[Blyleven2011]

Without reading the article I went right to my first thought from the title ...

Marco Raya would be my choice if he stays healthy  , that's always the equation  , HEALTH ...

I'll go read the article  now  ...

[Dman]

If Rodriguez is still a prospect in 2025 I would go with him but I think he will be on the team by then. My pick is Mercedes.  He could be a five tool player and those are hard to come by.  Long way to go but he looks like the total package to me so he is my pick.

I like Raya a lot as well.  His pitch movement is crazy good.  I can see why the Twins are so high on him but pitchers are hard to predict and I still am not sold the arm will hold up.  If it does he could be number 1, but too many if's for me.

Same with Prielipp haven't even seen him throw one pitch so nothing to base anything off of yet.  He could be number 1, but again tons of unknown's. Not ready to commit to him yet.

I really Like Salas but with the bat dropping off at high A and not much power I don't see him in the number one spot without some sort of huge breakout.  Maybe he can do it but I like the odds for Mercedes and Rodriguez better.

[se7799]

Lots of talented people to choose from.  I'm still riding the EMMA train as my choice.  This years high pick will be in play as well for this spot by 2025.

[Rosterman]

Heck, you can even say that folks like Brooks Lee and Austin Martin may not make the fulltime grade and still be considered TOP PROSPECTS come 2025, partly because there is little reason to add them to the 40-man if players you currently have are playing well.

The Twins need a couple of catchers to advance to cusp of major league level by 2025. Will it be Ricardo Oliver, or perhaps Alex Isola? Jair Camargo will still be young come that time, but will be able to go his own way if not protected next off-season.

[DJL44]

Hopefully the #5 pick in the 2023 draft.

[DrTeng]

Wyatt Langford

[Blyleven2011]

A good list , don't know enough about Salas to determine  a concensus ...

Plus I'm getting pretty tired of hearing how good our prospects are from the FO and then don't get to see them play in MLB even when they might be ready to show they are ready  ...

We have them at depth , give some playing time to the prospect and let them get acclimated to the bigs and the faster pace ...

[TwinsDr2021]

If ERod hasn't made it to the Twins by 25, one of two things have happened, bad injury, or he is wildly overrated now.

I think the other 4 are pretty good choices with the #5 pick rounding out the top 5.

 

[2wins87]

Edit: Oh, 2025 not 2024, so yeah Lee should easily have graduated.  I do think the #5 pick this year is shaping up to be a very strong prospect and will have a good shot at #1 though.

While I think Lee will still move quickly, I think him getting enough at bats/service time to graduate from the list this year is probably either very optimistic or pessimistic depending on what scenario you envision.

[TwinsDr2021]

38 minutes ago, Rosterman said:

Heck, you can even say that folks like Brooks Lee and Austin Martin may not make the fulltime grade and still be considered TOP PROSPECTS come 2025, partly because there is little reason to add them to the 40-man if players you currently have are playing well.

The Twins need a couple of catchers to advance to cusp of major league level by 2025. Will it be Ricardo Oliver, or perhaps Alex Isola? Jair Camargo will still be young come that time, but will be able to go his own way if not protected next off-season.

Austin Martin will be 26 at the start of the 25 season, I will go out on a limb and say zero chance he is still a prospect by that time. Either he will be a Major utility guy or better or AAAA player for the rest of his career.

Lee will be 24 going into 25 and if he is still a prospect then, he will have suffered a major injury or has fallen flat on his face, you can't have been AA at age 21 and then spend the next two years if healthy trying to compete in the minors and be considered a prospect.

I think both of these guys will be knocking on the door this year and in Lee's case maybe pounding at the door.

 

[roger]

If any of the top 3 are still prospects going into 2025, they will not have performed well enough to be among the top 3.  I know if any of them don't make it to the Twins by mid-2024, I for one will be very disappointed.

[Alex Schieferdecker]

Honestly, their 2023 #5 pick probably has the best odds.

Unless they pick higher in 2024, hopefully not.

[tony&rodney]

I'll guess Max Clark because Emmanuel Rodriguez is with the varsity. The list does look good with Raya, Prielipp, Salas, and Mercedes along side of Erod.

[chpettit19]

ERod is a reasonable enough choice. Ideally he debuts in the bigs in 2024, but he may not get enough ABs to graduate, due to there being a number of other high end OFers we're hoping claim starting jobs with the Twins this year and moving forward, so could still be rookie eligible going into 2025. If he's still eligible, hopefully he's #1 here.

I think #2 is likely to be the #5 pick this year.

Raya and Prielipp seem like good choices to be on the cusp of MLB debuts going into 2025 so hopefully they're at the top here, too.

I'd like to see Salas debut in 2024 like ERod. He's already spent time in A+ and the expectation should be that he reaches AA this year. Once you're in AA, as a top prospect, you're on the doorstep and he should have a shot at debuting in 2024 if he's the top prospect we hope he is.

Mercedes seems like a nice option for the top 5 as well. 

The guy who's hat I'll throw in as a hopeful option is Noah Miller. He's got the glove, and I'm hoping to see him continue to increase his strength and be able to handle the bat well the next 2 years. It'd be great to have him touching the top 5 system prospect range and be in AA or AAA going into 2025.

[Mike Sixel]

Their first pick in this year's draft is my guess.

[Major League Ready]

I hope it's the #5 pick because that would mean we hit on the pick.  Rodriquez seems most likely based on timing and ceiling.  He will only be 21 in 2025 so a 2025 debut seems on schedule.  I would love to see one of the 17-19 years old guys blow up over the next two years and become #1 in spite of Rodriguez and #5 being top 30 type prospects.  Might as well dream big, right?

[Fatbat]

 I expect the top 3 on your list to make the opening day roster in 2025. I’m gonna say the #1 prospect in 2025 is going to be the 5th pick in the first round of the 2023 amateur draft.

[mikelink45]

The real question is, what is the front office strategy for bringing in Young players with potential instead of older players will have already maxed out? And there is the question of what trades will happen, what draft choices we will have, and what injuries will take place. I always liked the players who seem to suddenly find themselves and jump forward. Maybe Urbina

[tarheeltwinsfan]

I predict the top prospect for the Twins in 2025 will be Paul Skenes.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

5 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

ERod is a reasonable enough choice. Ideally he debuts in the bigs in 2024, but he may not get enough ABs to graduate, due to there being a number of other high end OFers we're hoping claim starting jobs with the Twins this year and moving forward, so could still be rookie eligible going into 2025. If he's still eligible, hopefully he's #1 here.

I think #2 is likely to be the #5 pick this year.

Raya and Prielipp seem like good choices to be on the cusp of MLB debuts going into 2025 so hopefully they're at the top here, too.

I'd like to see Salas debut in 2024 like ERod. He's already spent time in A+ and the expectation should be that he reaches AA this year. Once you're in AA, as a top prospect, you're on the doorstep and he should have a shot at debuting in 2024 if he's the top prospect we hope he is.

Mercedes seems like a nice option for the top 5 as well. 

The guy who's hat I'll throw in as a hopeful option is Noah Miller. He's got the glove, and I'm hoping to see him continue to increase his strength and be able to handle the bat well the next 2 years. It'd be great to have him touching the top 5 system prospect range and be in AA or AAA going into 2025.

I'm a big fan of Noah Miller. I hope he can become an average hitter for a SS. He is a super fielder.

[DocBauer]

I'm just taking a logical approach based on age, talent, and opportunity, Based on that, I see Rodriguez being #1. I understand just how good he is and how talented, but I just don't expect him to fly through 2023 and be on the cusp for 2024. I would love it to happen. I expect A+ to begin 2023, and finishing at AA. He will be ramping up in 2024 for his debut between AA and AAA, and might even get a late season promotion. And maybe I'm being conservative, but I'm seeing an OF of Martin, Buxton, and Larnach, no need to rush him, and he'll still have rookie status going in to 2025, pushing for a full time spot

Just being practical.  He's my #1.

Raya and Prielipp are going to be easily in the top 5, though positioning is yet to be determined. 

Mercedes is probably as talented as Rodriguez, as is Salas probably. But I'm still looking at age. Either, or both, could be in the top 5. But I'm betting the #1 pick in 2023, whoever it might be, will squeeze one of them out of the top 5.

[se7799]

1 hour ago, DocBauer said:

I'm just taking a logical approach based on age, talent, and opportunity, Based on that, I see Rodriguez being #1. I understand just how good he is and how talented, but I just don't expect him to fly through 2023 and be on the cusp for 2024. I would love it to happen. I expect A+ to begin 2023, and finishing at AA. He will be ramping up in 2024 for his debut between AA and AAA, and might even get a late season promotion. And maybe I'm being conservative, but I'm seeing an OF of Martin, Buxton, and Larnach, no need to rush him, and he'll still have rookie status going in to 2025, pushing for a full time spot

Just being practical.  He's my #1.

Raya and Prielipp are going to be easily in the top 5, though positioning is yet to be determined. 

Mercedes is probably as talented as Rodriguez, as is Salas probably. But I'm still looking at age. Either, or both, could be in the top 5. But I'm betting the #1 pick in 2023, whoever it might be, will squeeze one of them out of the top 5.

I agree he is a very talented individual.  But will be struggles along the way.  I'm a believer in him...but I don't expect him to exhaust his rookie status by age 21.  Maybe getting feet wet.  Everything would have to go right.  Though I'd never bet against it either considering his makeup. 

[Doctor Gast]

15 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Hopefully the #5 pick in the 2023 draft.

Exactly, as Lee shot up being #8, '23 draft # 5 should top the list. Hopefully we won't have a draft pick so high again for a very long time, so we better make it count. Noah Miller will be right up there. Also we are pretty set in depth at premium positions SS & CF but at catcher we are starving, Some how we need to find one to place on this list.

[miracleb]

Rodriguez is only 19 years old right now.  He will still be a prospect in two years!

[TwinsDr2021]

3 minutes ago, miracleb said:

Rodriguez is only 19 years old right now.  He will still be a prospect in two years!

Just an FYI, he turns 20 in 5 days.

[miracleb]

Just an FYI....."only 19 years old right now."
LOL!

[Ricky Vaughn]

Not knowing who the #5 pick will be, I will stick my neck out and say Yasser Mercedes. he should be in high A or AA by then so his star will be shining. (I hope)

[Otaknam]

Injuries are the wild card, but I really like their top 10 list of prospects. I think most of them will make it if injury free. I am especially excited about Raya and Prielipp as potential front end starters….finally! No World Series without top of the line starters. 

[nicksaviking]

Other teams are getting top end 20-21 year-olds to the majors, it sure would be nice if the Twins could do the same with Rodriguez and/or Raya.